Multiple Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas Arising in Several Body Areas Except for the Face

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer among primary malignant tumors occurring on the skin [1]. Exposure to ultraviolet light is well known to be the most common causative factor of cutaneous SCC [2]. Approximately 80%–90% of cutaneous SCCs have been reported to occur in the head and neck area [3].

We report a rare case, in which a patient who was diagnosed with SCC on the left foot exhibited multiple SCC lesions throughout the body, but not on the face, despite not having any other risk factors.

A 62-year-old male patient visited our hospital with an ulcerative wound in the left foot that had been present for approximately 6 months ([Fig. 1]). Although he had no risk factors for skin cancer, he was diagnosed with SCC through a biopsy. We overlooked searching for lesions on other parts of the body because he did not have any specific symptoms or discomfort. Eight months after surgery, SCC recurrence was observed by magnetic resonance imaging on the lateral area of the left foot. A whole-body positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan was performed, and hypermetabolic lesions were found on the lateral aspect of the left foot, the left great toe, and the left lower abdomen. At that point, a physical examination was performed from head to toe. In this examination, 0.3- to 1.5-cm skin lesions were found in each major area of the body, except for the patient’s face and neck (5 sites on the trunk and 13 sites on the legs) ([Figs. 2], [3]). All masses were excised and found to be SCC or Bowen disease. Since patients can easily overlook skin cancers, a physical examination should always be meticulously performed.

Fig. 1. Preoperative photography from the first operation. The red arrow indicates a 5×4-cm ulcerative wound with a foul odor and an erythematous skin lesion on the lateral side of the left foot. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography scans detected a hypermetabolic lesion, with a maximum standard uptake value of 6.42.

Fig. 2. A number of red arrows indicate multiple skin lesions on both buttocks and the posterior leg. Excisional biopsies identified squamous cell carcinoma in 5 sites and Bowen disease in 8 sites.

Fig. 3. A number of red arrows indicate multiple skin lesions on the anterior chest and lower abdomen. Excisional biopsies identified squamous cell carcinoma in 3 sites and Bowen disease in 2 sites.

Publication History

Received: 28 November 2016

Accepted: 28 March 2017

Article published online:
20 April 2022

• References

• 1 Saini R, Sharma N, Pandey K. et al. Multiple skin cancers in a single patient: Multiple pigmented Bowen's disease, giant basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma. J Cancer Res Ther 2015; 11: 669
• 2 Veness MJ. Advanced non melanoma skin cancers of the head and neck: an overview on management. Cancer Forum 2006; 30: 195-201
• 3 Ch'ng S, Maitra A, Lea R. et al. Parotid metastasis: an independent prognostic factor for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2006; 59: 1288-93